Storage Auctions
The Marketplace => Selling Venues => Flea Markets => Topic started by: MovieMan on January 30, 2011, 10:22:02 AM
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Been selling at fleas for 7 years now. My town has 4 and 3 I have sold at.
One is the best of the three and has a higher income buyer base. Other two are better for getting rid of lower end items if you have the ability to have different loads for different crowds.
My question here is not how much (in dollars) you actually sell (or net) at fleas, but what the trend has been for you the last few years if you are an old-timer.
I found that in 2010 my sales were down about $200 a month over 2009, but my record-keeping mixes both flea and ebay, craig sales, so it's not totally categorized.
Of course, so much depends on WHAT you have to sell at any given time too. Any thoughts ?
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I haven't done flea markets in about 5 years. But I did a flea mall at the end of 2009 and all of 2010. My sales did appear to dip at the end and I was afraid I was going to start losing money so I got out of it. However, I think my dip in sales was due to not having enough time to go and straighten up my booth, and restock more than once every week. My "real" job and my daughters extra curricular activities were monopolizing my time. However, once softball and ballet are over in May, I plan to get back at it.
I was talking to another man that had a booth in this flea mall and he was making about $3500 profit per month. He said it was his most profitable year ever in 14 years. But he worked it daily.
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I am thinking about starting a booth here in memphis at our local flea market.
It is a permanent indoor market, and the fees are 33 dollar per weekend. (Friday to Sunday)
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I am thinking about starting a booth here in memphis at our local flea market.
It is a permanent indoor market, and the fees are 33 dollar per weekend. (Friday to Sunday)
That sounds cheap enough.
My reserved spot (4 parking spots wide) is $40 for a Saturday and is paid in advance for a month.
The dailies pay $15 a spot (1 car parking space) and can take 1 to 3 spaces. The bad part for them is they are not guaranteed to get in! In the spring and summer this is a problem. Our winter in California is mild (can be rainy though) but at least we can sell...don't have to be at an indoor venue. Today (Sunday, Jan 30th) it rained and the Sunday sellers had a day off...and no income.
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Are there any flea malls in your area? I paid $90 a month rent and the mall got 5% of sales, but they are open every day from 10 to 6. And you leave your stuff there. Just go in and restock, clean. I had a smaller booth. I think the larger booths were $125 a month.
The only problem with this is that you can't watch your stuff 100% of the time. The only items I had come up missing was costume jewelry. My husband and I opted out of putting small expensive stuff in it.
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There was one, but I'm not sure it's operating anymore. It was in a poor section of town, and I didn't even go shopping there that much. A lot of "China" imports and hardly any "garage sale" type vendors.
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Remember the song lyric, "it never rains in southern California" ?
Well, it does, and in the central and north too.
Got rained out the last two Saturdays (I don't sell on Sundays) so no revenue for those 2 days ! :'(
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The flea market closest to my house is low income. Been going for several weeks now and average about $100 in sales per day. Thats a 4:00am to 2:00pm day. Can't sell much of anything for more than $1 to $2 unless it is guns, knives, tools (power or hand). Thats what the men will pay good money for, haven't figured out what the women will pay good money for yet.
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CopiaVita...
Yes, they can be long days and sometimes the pay isn't what we want it to be, but when you have
what YOU consider to be a great day, the feeling is much different.
I stopped telling people the $ I brought in on any given Saturday when I realized that INVARIABLY they always DID BETTER THAN I DID. Sometimes it was 5x better than I did. For a while I believed it, but over time I realized that some of these folks were the ones who got 38mpg from the same car I had that got 20mpg. I'm not THAT aggressive a driver!
Anyway, time usually takes care of a lot of things, and an understanding of what sells and what doesn't is part of the learning curve.
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Well, I already posted my introduction, so I guess I am ready to hit the broads, I mean boards.
Though I am very new to the Storage Auction scene and have not been to an auction yet, I have been into retailing used items for a couple of years now (part-time).
Last October I went and set up at my first flea market, Canton Trades Days (Canton, TX). I primarilly went to show off and sell my wood burnt art (outside spot). It lasted from Wednesday to Sunday.
On Wednesday, we set up only art (big mistake). I drove back 65 or so miles to Mt. Vernon to pick up a lot of my cb radio equipment from my shop, about half of my sports card collection, and about 100 dvds.
From Friday to Sunday, my wife and I grossed about $850 and netted probably around $450 to $500.
All in all it was agreat experience for the first time. I can't wait to buy some lockers one of these days and try it again. We had a blast! The best part was, I used 4 days of my 2 weeks of vacation from truck driving. So it was a win-win situation.
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Welcome to the Auction Business side of retail resells. And welcome to the Forum :)
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Welcome to the Auction Business side of retail resells. And welcome to the Forum :)
Thanks and thanks. I can't wait to get my hands dirty.
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I think I have decided when selling at the flea market I have to hold the price I want on the good merchandise and watch a lot of people walk away, and let the less valuable stuff go for what ever people will pay for it. I have learned that if I bargain on everything by the end of the day all of my "good" stuff is gone, and I am left with the poor quality stuff. Stuff I really don't what to haul back home and certainly don't want to haul back to the flea market without a mix of nicer things.
I thought if I priced the lower quality stuff real low (25 cents, 50 cents) it would move more quickly, but it turns out that is not neccessarily so. I price an item, like books for example, at 25 cents a piece and people will still want to buy 4 or 5 of them for 25 cents.
The "crazy, insane low prices" might help move a little more inventory and clear space, but it really hurts the bottom line.
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I also find that holding to a price on an item helps the bottom line... but of course there are exceptions.
When I find a super good, bright orange, like-new extension cord (as an example) I put tie-wraps on it and a nice (computer printed) 3 x 5 index card that says, 100 feet, xx gauge (if I know it) and the price...I get $12 for one like that. ALSO ON THE TAG, I say, "no less" and for the hispanic audience in my area..."NO MENOS".
This gets it put back down maybe 2 or 3 times out of 4, but someone always buys it. It may have to go out to the flea three times, but how much trouble is it to load it back in the truck to make that difference between the $8 someone offers and the $12 I want? Not much trouble and if you multiply that by 3 or 4 (or 10) items, you are starting to look at some money.
ON THE OTHER HAND....I have stuck with a price and regretted it. I had a fancy gold/silver plated bolo tie, brand new with a $60 tag on it and was asking $35. A guy offered me $30 and I turned it down. I carried that in my best aluminum display case for maybe four weeks before another person offered me $25 and I took it. No it didn't cost me much in effort and I made almost as much as I would have if I had sold it the first time, so not a biggie, but I did have to show it a few times without selling it, and I did turn down some $18 and $20 offers !
I guess there is not as much demand for a bolo tie as there is for an extension cord, so that was part of the difference.
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I have a friend who is just the opposite and prices everything CHEAP and doesn't want to take anything home, but neither of us has been able to convince the other that HIS method is the best. When you come right down to it, whatever WORKS FOR YOU is the best solution. If you can handle any regrets (or satisfactions) you have one way or the other, THAT'S the answer.
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Thanks and thanks. I can't wait to get my hands dirty.
When's it going to happen ?
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When's it going to happen ?
Well, I am still keeping extremely busy during my free-time with all of the collectibles I bought from my friend. I have almost finished the inventory on the Nascar memorabilia, and next I will be getting on the hundreds of hotwheels. Once I finish these two sections, I will have some sales, one person is wanting to possibly buy all of the hotwheels in one shot.
Once I finish inventory, pictures, and start selling some of this stuff, I will be using some of the money to buy my first locker(s).
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That sounds cheap enough.
My reserved spot (4 parking spots wide) is $40 for a Saturday and is paid in advance for a month.
The dailies pay $15 a spot (1 car parking space) and can take 1 to 3 spaces. The bad part for them is they are not guaranteed to get in! In the spring and summer this is a problem. Our winter in California is mild (can be rainy though) but at least we can sell...don't have to be at an indoor venue. Today (Sunday, Jan 30th) it rained and the Sunday sellers had a day off...and no income.
The one i goto cost 25 for one car spot and 50 for two spot plus 50.00 deposit you get back at the end of the day.
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Just found an outdoor flea market, cost is $100 a month.
here is what I get:
10x10 covered spot
10X20 storage unit
Sales are held 3 times a week. Thur and Sat-Sun.
Thats a bargain just for the 10x20 storage.
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That is a good deal right there! Do they require to sell every week?
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Was checking out our local flea's... The biggest one the furthest from us. Went to their web page read two pages of rules and what they charge if you break them, and you have to call in for a sick day. (What???). Anyway never found out what they charge for space. I don't think I will bother.. there is one much closer that advertises on the local TV and charge $15 per day for 10 x10 under cover with 2 tables, and a 10x20 parking space. think that will be my place this winter season. (Fl backwards the winter months are our busy time)
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Doing my first flea market sale. Father messed up and rented the 10x10 for Sat and Sun. Cost per day is $12. Made my $24 cost back and $60 so far. Will have to see if do good or not Sunday. Weather has turn chilly so not as many people as I had wished.
What was strange was none of my Christmas stuff is moving yet. Many odds and ends did but not Christmas.
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What was strange was none of my Christmas stuff is moving yet. Many odds and ends did but not Christmas.
Did yard sale (parking lot of thrift store). Friday and Saturday. Had mostly men on Friday, What surprised me was the baby stuff I had did not move.. Got rid of a stroller on Sat. Never know with crowds... Too Sat was dead. A Lot of yards going on and our inventory was down. Christmas stuff may move after thanksgiving. Hope you do well today. Oh our cost was a bike to the thrift store would have sold for $20. So not to bad.
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Well made $76.25 today so the two days after expenses was $137 profit. Crowds were about the same today as yesterday. Don't know if it was due to being 5 degrees warmer or what. I was surprised actually. I figured would struggle until after chruch since in the bible belt. When in fact I made most of my money before noon and after 2.
I in fact may of had most of my items under-value. I know some things seemed to go quick and to other vendors. But, I'm ok with that. In the last week I've made $200 so not counting items that I've kept I'm only $197 in the red now, with a good amount of inventory still. If I include the items I've kept I'm in the black.
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Didn't get to go to the flea saturday as I thought it was going to be really cold and cloudy with today was suppose to be sunny and in the low 70s. Dang the weather people get it all wrong. Yesterday, was mostly sunny and in the 60s but felt really nice outside. Today it was cloudy and the 10% chance of rain turned out to be rain all day and never got close to 70. So I was pretty bummed this morning when headed out for the flea. First my stuff gets wet, then stops raining, and then starts again after I get setup.
Surprise surprise I still did well with a light crowd. Still managed to make 71.50 after expenses. 90% of what I sold today came from the $26 unit I purchased last week. It's been my most profitable unit so far, over $90 in profit with a brand new leather jacket, furniture, and more new items to sale. Really hope can find another unit like this. Nothing of a wow factor but a solid unit.
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Glad you made some money... We were planning on going this weekend also.... But could not pull it off with this equipment... ;D
My Uncle brought some stuff for us to sell for him of course I had to clean it up. Then I started going through the stuff my husband bought at another auction. $5.00 for truck load of stuff.. Of course all guy stuff. Drill bits, Bolts, Bucket of old screw drivers ect.. Of course he was going to help but got called to do some other work for a good friend of ours.... Like I be leave that... LOL
After inventory check most is yard sale stuff not worth the trip to the flea. We only need to make $3.00 more dollars to be in the green.. We need a full locker to build up our inventory...Auction's on Tuesday So hopefully we can get one at the right price. Our total cost for the flea would be around $60.00 for two days. (it is a little bit of a drive, so with gas and booth rent) Need a nice inventory to make that kind of money.
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Ouch - I'm glad my flea is closer then yours sounds. Of course I may one day need to venture out further. Guy that was setup next to me yesterday was talking about 2 other flea markets in SC. He bounces back and forth between the three it seems.
The more I go to the flea the more info I'm gleeming from people. Found out yesterday that forks sale like mad out there. Lady had a ton of spoons and knives but said she can't keep forks. I know the pots I had went pretty quick. I had figured mostly they were priced to low but who knows.
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@ craiglstauction There is another one that does really well but also about the same distance in the other direction... LOL Thought about starting one in our area... My husband thinking big again... ::)
Sounds like you are getting a handle on your area Fleas. Finding out what sells at the different ones will be great knowledge. Three different piles for different Fleas...
Are you in the Black yet??? LOL
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Nope - not in the black yet but I keep inching toward it. If I counted everything that has been kept by the family I'd be in the black. After yesterday I'm back at the same level that I was before buying the latest two lockers. If some of the bigger ticket items would sale on craigslist I'd be doing well. Going to try and work on the cloths to post on ebay this week.
Most of my inventory is in furniture and cloths currently which is slow to move in my area. Sold about 1/2 of my Christmas stuff already. Just about all my games, movies, and cds have sold. I may have to raise my prices on them as they just go to fast in a way. Tells me I'm screwing myself.
So far my top items that move quick have been:
1) matchbox cars (.50 each)
2) CDs / DVDs - $1 w/o case
3) Games / CDs / DVDs - w/ case $2
4) Kitchen stuff (pans, new stove covers, etc.)
5) My $.25 bucket (1st day this didn't move, now I do about 1/2 the tote each day sold).
6) Gloves -- I can't keep a pair of gloves, they always sale. Mostly $1 - $5
7) Shoes still in box -- don't matter if the shoes are used if they are in the box they sale faster.
The other stuff that I have sold has been 1 time items like 1:24 scale Dale Jr car from 2004, the coke bank/clock, etc.
Stuff that get alot of interest but has not sold:
1) Jackets - have new leather and a nice red mid-length ladies jacket
2) Blue Lightning Buddah - he draws tons of attention but no one wants him for $20. Is ok as it helps draw people in to spot just so they can touch the neon ball.
3) Jewelry - sold most of the costume jewelry I had. Down to a gold plated ring (new w/ $79.95 tag on it) and a few pairs of ear rings still in package. If I was dishonest I could of sold the gold plate ring about 4 times over now. But that just isn't me.
4) Coins - sold a bunch of world coins the first day but none have moved since. Just need the right grandmother or such to come along. Easy to display and such. Only really worth $.25 or less and I sale them for $.50 - $3 a coin depending on age and type.
Items that have not sold or gotten much interest:
1) Books - even kids disney books. May have to display better.
2) Cloths - most people seem to pass them up and only look at the jackets.
3) Furniture - only my drop-leaf even gets looked or asked about and no takers at $50.
Things going to take next time (Sat 3rd)
1) Coins, CCG card (Magic, Warcraft, Pokemon) <-- stuff from my own collection as filler
2) Rest of my Christmas Stuff
3) Jackets and few choice cloths (Disney shirts, etc.)
4) Pig collection (bank, statues, etc.)
5) Coke bottle collection (cups/glasses, various coke bottles unopened)
6) All my new / boxed items (toaster oven, glasses, etc.)
7) May take some sports cards but am doubtfull.
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Thanks for the break down... Of what is moving...
3) Games / CDs / DVDs - w/ case $2
Think I would keep going up at $1.00 increments on those.. when the sales drop then go back down.
6) Gloves -- I can't keep a pair of gloves, they always sale. Mostly $1 - $5
I think I would have to send them to you... LOL One I don't see many and we only wear them maybe once or twice a year. Down here.. ;D.
2) Blue Lightning Buddah - he draws tons of attention but no one wants him for $20. Is ok as it helps draw people in to spot just so they can touch the neon ball.
Buddah Priceless .. We would come to your table to look at that...
Items that have not sold or gotten much interest:
1) Books - even kids disney books. May have to display better.
2) Cloths - most people seem to pass them up and only look at the jackets.
Sell the books dirt cheap 5 for a $1.00 or .25 each
Clothes sell better if you could display them hanging... Hard to do at the flea
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Ya money - doing the $1 increment thing is what I had already thought about. I see most of the movies and stuff going for $4 an up at other tables. So I figure in box/case is $3.
I'm surprised the gloves sale. I'm in GA - it don't get that cold here except for a few days in Jan/Feb. I've found 4 pair and have sold all 4 pair.
The kids love the Buddah - so they are glad it's yet to sale. I just have to find him again. I hid him from the kids and now I can't find him (lol).
I have a cloths rack from Walmart (bought a ton of equipment from an auction they do...wish could re-find that site). So I can hang the cloths up on 2 or 3 sides. Going to take some more jackets, Disney shirts, and few other long sleeve stuff on Dec 3. The lady next to me sales jeans and has a ton of them. I see many people looking but only a few buys.
Working to post my ties and such on ebay. See if can sell them that way.
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My thoughts on the gloves are that people know they will only need them a couple times a year and would rather buy cheap at the flea then pay full retail.
Working at a department store last winter in central TX, most of the cold-weather clothes were bought by people traveling north for the holidays or for business. Very little need for it down here.
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Well today was my best day yet at the flea. After expenses I made $117.75. Still no furniture selling. Think I'll just put it up for the winter and try in Late Feb / March when I've been told people buy furniture. If the weather is nice I'll prob do another stab next Saturday.
One thing I think I'll change is make more "rummage boxes". I have a $.25 small tote that people seem to like searching. Same for the box of hot wheels and other cars I have for $.50. So think I'll get a few totes or boxes and do $.25, $.50, and $1 items for people to look in. Will make loading/unloading a little bit easier.
Sold mostly odds and ends today. One stuff animal, and one book sold today. So I'm going to say screw it and donate all the books to Goodwill. Already donated most of the stuff animals so I'm still tossing the idea around to donate the care bears, and disney stuff animals or not.
Did get rid of more xmas and GA bulldog stuff. Helped that GA was playing LSU today at 4.
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Glad you did good this weekend.
On the books I sold about 20 and I priced them at 10 for a $1.00.
I have also learned that totes for the kids clothes worked well for us this weekend. Will get designated totes for the sizes.
We sold 3 Beanie babies. for $1.00 each. Lucky to get that... LOL
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I sold one xmas book for $.50. At 10 for a buck I'd just give them to Goodwill and write them off as $1 a book. Beanie babies I've given a few away to kids after the parents spent 10-20 bucks with me. Trying to build some goodwill so they look for me every week.
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I sold one xmas book for $.50. At 10 for a buck I'd just give them to Goodwill and write them off as $1 a book. Beanie babies I've given a few away to kids after the parents spent 10-20 bucks with me. Trying to build some goodwill so they look for me every week.
I used our glass block to hold up the books and sold all the glass block I had. So used more of a selling tool.
We had quite a few people say oh just keep the difference which was .50.
We are comparing apple and oranges mine was a yard sale. We are not limited on table space. Helped fill them up. We had a box of misc. toys basically for free. Building the goodwill. Had quite a few return customers. :D
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I had a spot at 1st Monday Canton Tx I paid $450 a month for and was there only 3 days a month. I sold 100% new merchandise. My 1st month there I made $1500 and almost sold out. My 2nd month did $1500 the 1st day and $4000 total, these are gross figures.
At the local flea market i sold at the spaces were $7 each and I would get 3. I wouldn't sell anything for less than $1 and most times I left no longer than 5 hours after getting there with $400 to $700 in my pocket. Almost every weekend my pickup and 6x12 trailer was full when I arrived and only a few boxes when I left.